Berkeley County Court Records

Berkeley County court records are kept by the Clerk of Court at 300-B California Avenue in Moncks Corner. The office maintains Circuit Court and Family Court records for one of South Carolina's fastest-growing counties. Case information is searchable through the Berkeley County Public Index free of charge. The Clerk handles all court filings and maintains the official record for all proceedings in the county. This page covers how to access Berkeley court records and what resources are available.

Berkeley County Clerk of Court

The Berkeley County Clerk of Court is located at 300-B California Avenue, Moncks Corner, SC 29461. The main phone number is (843) 719-4400. The Clerk maintains circuit court and family court records as the official record keeper for all cases filed in Berkeley County. Appeals from Municipal Court decisions are also filed with the Clerk of Court's office.

Berkeley County is part of the 9th Judicial Circuit. The county seat of Moncks Corner serves as the hub for all county court proceedings. The Clerk's office handles court filings, collects fees and fines, administers jury selection, and ensures the integrity and accessibility of the permanent court record for the county.

The official Berkeley County Clerk of Court website is at berkeleycountysc.gov/dept/coc. It provides information about the office, online services, Register of Deeds access, and links to court records resources for Berkeley County residents and legal professionals.

The Berkeley County Clerk of Court office in Moncks Corner handles Circuit Court and Family Court records and also manages the Register of Deeds portal for real property filings in the county.

The 9th Judicial Circuit also serves Charleston County. Circuit judges rotate between the two counties for court sessions. Berkeley County is designated as County Number 08 in the state's court administrative system.

Berkeley County Court Records Online Search

To search Berkeley County court records online, go to the SC Public Index case records search at sccourts.org. You can search by party name, case number, or filing date. No registration is required, and basic case information is available at no charge. The system shows case summaries, docket entries, hearing schedules, and current case status.

The Berkeley County Public Index at publicindex.sccourts.org/berkeley/publicindex provides direct online access to Circuit Court and Family Court cases filed in Berkeley County.

The Berkeley County Public Index is updated regularly as case information is entered by Clerk's office staff, giving the public real-time access to case status and recent docket activity.

For certified copies of court documents, you must contact the Clerk's office directly. Online searches show case summaries and docket entries, but full document images require an in-person visit or written request to the office at 300-B California Avenue in Moncks Corner.

Note: Some records are restricted from the Public Index, including juvenile files, sealed matters, and expunged cases. These are not viewable through the standard online search.

Berkeley County Circuit Court Records

The Circuit Court in Berkeley County handles General Sessions criminal matters and Common Pleas civil cases. General Sessions covers felony criminal charges and serious misdemeanors. Common Pleas covers civil disputes where the amount at stake exceeds $7,500. Filing a new civil case costs $150 per the Circuit Court fee schedule.

Criminal records from General Sessions in Berkeley County include charges, court proceedings, verdicts, and sentencing outcomes for felony cases. These records are searchable through the Public Index and are open to the public under South Carolina law. Court rosters listing upcoming cases, hearing dates, and judge assignments are posted regularly through the online court system.

The SC Judicial Branch website provides comprehensive contact information for all judges and court personnel serving Berkeley County. The county's rapid population growth has led to an expanding court docket, with active calendars in both General Sessions and Common Pleas. Berkeley County also has a Register of Deeds function within the Clerk's office that handles real property documents. Details about online services and the ROD portal are available at berkeleycountysc.gov/dept/coc.

Berkeley County Family Court Records

The Family Court in Berkeley County handles divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, juvenile delinquency, and abuse or neglect cases. Family Court judges for the 9th Circuit bring specialized expertise in domestic relations law to these proceedings. Filing fees for divorce and custody matters are $150 per the Family Court fee schedule.

Family Court case information is searchable through the Public Index. However, many records in this division are confidential by law. Juvenile cases and adoption files are sealed and cannot be accessed through standard public records searches. Child support questions should be directed to the State Disbursement Unit at 800-768-5858 rather than the local Clerk's office. Support payments go to SC State Disbursement Unit, PO Box 100302, Columbia, SC 29202-3302.

Berkeley County Magistrate Court Records

Berkeley County Magistrate Courts handle criminal offenses where fines stay at or below $500 and jail time does not exceed 30 days. Civil matters up to $7,500 also fall under their jurisdiction. The Magistrate Court conducts bond hearings, preliminary hearings in felony cases, and trials for misdemeanors and traffic violations.

Goose Creek Municipal Court is an active court within Berkeley County, located at 519 N Goose Creek Blvd, Goose Creek, SC 29445. Phone: (843) 569-4230 ext. 1218. Municipal Court Judge Colleen Taylor is the city's full-time judge. Court sessions run Monday through Thursday at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. Jury trials are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 9 AM. Appeals from the Goose Creek Municipal Court are filed with the Berkeley County Court of Common Pleas.

Diversion programs for certain offenses are available through the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office. These programs may include pre-trial intervention, traffic education, community service, and counseling options. Completion of a diversion program may result in case dismissal. Learn more at the Berkeley County Solicitor's Office website.

Berkeley County Probate Court

The Probate Court for Berkeley County handles estate administration, will probate, guardianships, conservatorships, and marriage licenses. The court oversees the probate of wills and the administration of intestate estates by personal representatives. Guardianship and conservatorship proceedings protect the interests of minors and incapacitated adults who need assistance managing their affairs.

Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court. Records of probate proceedings are generally open to public inspection, with exceptions for adoption files and sealed mental health matters. Probate Court fees are set by state law based on the type of proceeding and the value of assets involved.

Criminal Records and Background Checks in Berkeley County

The SLED CATCH system provides statewide criminal background checks for $25 plus convenience fees. This name-based search covers South Carolina criminal history across all 46 counties and delivers immediate results online. SLED CATCH is maintained by the SC Law Enforcement Division and is the most complete official source for criminal history data in the state.

The South Carolina Judicial Branch clerk directory page for Berkeley County is at sccourts.org/clerksCourt/clerk.cfm?countyno=8. It lists official contact details for the Berkeley County Clerk of Court and provides links to court resources.

The SC Judicial Branch directory page for Berkeley County confirms the Clerk's official mailing address, phone, and fax information for submitting records requests and court filings.

For local arrest records and warrant information, contact the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office. The Magistrate Court also maintains records of warrants and criminal charges filed at the summary court level. Juvenile files, sealed cases, and expunged records are not available through public searches.

Berkeley County FOIA and Public Record Access

South Carolina's Freedom of Information Act at S.C. Code Ann. § 30-4-10 et seq. gives the public the right to inspect and copy most government records. Court records in Berkeley County are generally open to inspection, subject to statutory exceptions for juvenile, adoption, and sealed matters. The complete legal framework is in Title 30 of the South Carolina Code.

Records requests can be submitted in person at 300-B California Avenue, Moncks Corner, SC 29461, or by phone at (843) 719-4400. Include specific case information, contact details, and payment for copy fees when making a request by mail. The Clerk's office has 10 business days to respond to written FOIA requests. In-person access is available during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

The Berkeley County government website provides additional resources and department contacts for county residents. The Clerk's office online services portal at berkeleycountysc.gov/dept/coc links to the ROD records portal and other digital services for Berkeley County court records access.

Nearby Counties

Berkeley County is in the 9th Judicial Circuit. These neighboring counties each maintain their own court records and Public Index access.

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